Four Current University of Delaware Men's Lacrosse Standouts Selected in National Lacrosse League Draft
January 30, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
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BALTIMORE -- Four current members of the University of Delaware men’s lacrosse team were selected in the recent Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft held on January 21 at the Power Plant.
Blue Hen senior midfielder Kevin Kaminski (at right) was selected with the 22nd overall pick by the Boston Cannons, senior defender Pat Dowling was picked No. 34 by Boston, senior defender Matt Stefurak was the No. 47 overall selection by the Long Island Lizards, and senior midfielder John Austin was picked No. 48 overall by the Chesapeake Bayhawks.
All four played key roles in leading Delaware to one of the best seasons in school history in 2010 when the Hens went 10-7, captured the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament title, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last six seasons. All four will once again be instrumental in the team’s success in 2011. Delaware will open the 2011 collegiate men’s lacrosse season next Saturday, Feb. 5 when the Hens host Detroit Mercy at 1 p.m. at Delaware Stadium.
The Major League Lacrosse season will begin play on May 14. Drafted players will be eligible to sign with the teams that selected them following the college season. This year marked the first year that the draft was held prior to the start of the season.
Delaware’s four selections was the fourth highest total of any school, trailing only the seven selections of Syracuse players and five each by Notre Dame and Maryland. Other Colonial Athletic Association players selected were Hofstra’s Steve Serling, Jay Card, and Steve DeNapoli, and Towson’s Peter Mezzanotte.
Kaminski, a three-year regular from Wallingford, Pa. (Strath-Haven High School), is Delaware’s active scoring leader with 53 points on 44 goals and nine assists over three seasons. He earned CAA All-Rookie honors in 2007 and was a second team All-CAA pick in 2009. He recorded 10 goals and four assists last spring.
Dowling, a three-year starter from Fairfield, Conn. (Fairfield Ludlowe HS), returns as one of the CAA’s top defensemen this spring. Already Delaware’s career leader with 47 caused turnovers, he earned CAA All-Rookie honors in 2008, first team All-CAA laurels in 2009, and second team accolades in 2010. He recorded 29 groundballs and eight caused turnovers in 2010.
Stefurak, a third-year starter from Smithtown, N.Y. (Smithtown West HS), has appeared in 45 career games for the Blue Hens. He started all 16 games in 2010 when he recorded 15 groundballs, caused seven turnovers, and added a goal and an assist.
Austin, a midfielder from Shoreham, N.Y. (Shoreham-Wading River HS), will be a third-year regular on the UD midfielder unit this spring. He contributed 15 goals and three assists a year ago and has posted 19 career goals to rank among Delaware’s active leaders.
Hamilton selected Stony Brook midfielder Kevin Crowley with the No. 1 overall pick followed by Syracuse defender Joel White by Rochester, North Carolina attackman Billy Bitter by Denver, Virginia midfielder Shamel Bratton by Boston, Notre Dame midfielder Zach Brenneman by Long Island, and Syracuse midfielder Jeremy Thompson by Hamilton.
